“Something wrong in the Clark/Jessa universe?” I ask, trying to read his expression.
He glances up at me and shakes his head. “No. I mean, we’re both gearing up for the busy season.”
“I thought Jessa doesn’t really have an offseason. I mean, we play with weeks left to go for the hockey team.”
Jessa works for Stockton Media Group, the company that owns most of the professional sports teams in Utah. She worked a lot with us on our social media as the Athlete Image Specialist, or something like that, last season, but is now over most of the marketing for the company. She’s that good at her job.
He frowns and nods. “That’s true, but we’re good. She was thinking it would be fun to drum up excitement for the season, and I would love some good relaxing fun. I’m over the keg parties and loud dancing.”
“Sounds like you need some knee-length cargo shorts and a pair of New Balance to go with that,” I joke.
Clark leans over and punches me in the shoulder. “Just wait until you find someone, Burton.”
I shake my head. “Obviously, that’s not happening soon. I mean, I’m either working at the restaurant, working out, or playing lacrosse. There aren’t many opportunities for connecting with females on that schedule. Anyway, what girl wants to take that résumé home to her parents and say, ‘I choose him?’”
“I’m sure we can remedy that. Maybe we just need a different scene. You can meet someone at the party I’m planning.” Clark rests his head back against the couch and closes his eyes.
“I’m game for a gathering, or whatever. Who do you want to invite?” I ask. “Wait, you just said party. That’s very different from a get-together. And what does ‘drum up excitement’ mean to you?”
“I don’t know. It would be fun to kind of hype up the season. Get a bunch of our fans and do something.”
“That’s even more vague than a get-together. Are you planning to hold it here? Or somewhere else? It sounds like you need the field for this kind of shindig.” I turn slightly so I can see his expression. Obviously he hasn’t made any solid plans.
Clark stares at the ceiling and says, “That’s not a horrible idea. Maybe we get the lacrosse brands and have a tailgate, meet-and-greet type thing?”
“That sounds like a bigger undertaking than my pay grade,” I say, laughing. I’m used to attending parties, not being the one planning them.
He pulls out his phone and starts tapping on the screen. I lean over and pick up the book from the end table. It’s a thriller, and I’m still trying to get into it despite having read five chapters already.
“What are you doing tomorrow night?” Clark asks.
“Um, I work until seven. Why?”
“Will you help me and Jessa brainstorm?”
I want to say no, but the look in his eyes is so hopeful. This man has done a lot for our team since being traded here, and a lot for me, so I can’t help but nod. “If you don’t mind it being that late at night, sure.”
Relief floods his expression. “Perfect. We’ll meet at Jessa’s house so we can have some peace,” Clark says, looking over at the nerds at the table. They’re still playing the game wrong, but I’m not in the mood to act as mediator this time.
I don’t have a ton of time left in my schedule, but if it somehow helps sell more tickets to our games, I can’t say no.
CHAPTER 2
LANEY
It’s always difficult interviewing athletes after a loss. To get their emotional responses, even when they would rather hide in a closet and never talk to the media again. I have those moments, and I’m not even the one putting my skills out there for people to critique.
I’m a sideline reporter under the Stockton Media Group umbrella, meaning I’m there for interviews in between periods, quarters, and halves. In a few weeks, I’m even slated to travel with the new baseball team in town, so I’ll soon add innings to my résumé.
This is my first year back in Utah, technically my second week, after getting three years of experiencewith an organization in Seattle. There are benefits to both places, but I do love having the full four seasons, even if they sometimes don’t start when it’s typical. Like it being the first of May and the snow is just now melting.
It’s also been nice to be closer to my grandparents. They were instrumental in my childhood, and it’s good that I’m near, especially now that they’re getting older.
I take the TRAX train to my apartment, west of Salt Lake City. When I moved back, I thought about living downtown, but knew it wouldn’t be good for me in the long run. I don’t do well in crowded spaces, and the place I’m living now definitely has more room. Do I have to put up with a very eccentric roommate who doesn’t know how to clean up after herself? Yes, but I’m taking it as a character-building exercise.
My phone rings, and I see Jessa Stratton on the screen. She’s been so great at helping me feel included ever since I got here.
SMG lost both of their reporters within a few weeks. One to maternity leave and the second was lured by a better offer in another city, which is why I was brought in so late in the hockey season. I’ve been pulling double duty while they wait for Elizabeth to come back.
